Improvement in clamps for holding cigars for tying



M. ALI. Clamp'for Packing Cigars.

Patented May 15, 1866.

- top of the UNITED ST TES PATENT OFFICE.

MATI ALI, 0F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIeNoE TO HIMSELF AND WILLIAMMAYER, 0 SAME PLAoE.

IMPROVEMENT IN CLAMPS FOR HOLDI NG CIGARS FOR TYING.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 54,811,

dated May 15, 1866.

To all whom it may concern: I

Be it known that I, MATI ALI, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, haveinvented a Clamp for Packing Cigars 5 and 1 do hereby declare thefollowing to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same,reference being ha'l to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters ofreference marked thereon.

My invention consists of a clamp, fully describedhereinafter,forfacilitatingthe packing of cigars in bundles.

In order to enable others to make and use my invention, I will nowproceed to describe its construction and operation.

On reference to the accompanying drawings, which forms a part of thisspecification, Figures 1,2,3, and 4 are iews illustrating my clamp forpacking cigars.

'Ais a stem or block,to which is Secured the Staple-like plate a, and tothe latter is secured one end of an elastic metal band, B, which is bentto an annular form, its opposite end being passed through a space, 00,between the plate a and the end of the block A.

When it is desired to secure a number of cigars in abundle theloose endof the band E is drawn through the openingmuntilits end projects but ashort distance beyond the block. The latter is then introduced into anopening in a table, X, until the band rests against the same. The cigarsare now laid within the band, as shown in Fig. 1, and the end of theband is drawn through the openinga' in the direction of the arrow, Fig.1, until the cigars are compressed into a more compact bundle, as seenin Fig. 2. The blockA is now withdrawn from the hole in the table, andthe cigars so adjusted that one shall not project This is done byturning the beyond another.

bundle so that the cut ends of the cigars rest on the level surface ofthe table. After this the bundle is rendered-still more compact by afurther contraction of the band. The block A is now again inserted inthe opening of the table, and a ribbon, c, is tied tightly round thebundle of cigars, near each end of the same, after which the band isloosened and the bundle withdrawn.

it has heretofore been customary to place two ribbons parallel to eachother on a table, pile the cigars on the same, and then by tying theopposite ends of the ribbons together to collect the cigars into thebundle required. This operation requires tedious manipulation, as thecigars frequently slip from their places and require to be againarranged, while the ribbons are creased and soiled by too much handling.

By the use of the above-described clamp the cigars are quickly collectedinto a pack of the proper shape, and are firmly held in their placesuntilsecured by the ribbons, and I have found by experiment that anoperator can pack. three times as many bundles by the aid of theclamp ashe can without it.

I claim as my invention and cure by Letters Patent- The within describedclamp composed of the elastic band B and block A, constructedsubstantially as and for the purpose herein set forth.

' In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification inthe presence of two subscribing witnesses.

desire to Se- MATI ALI. Witnesses:

CHARLES E. FOSTER, JOHN WHITE.

